Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 5:17

"Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil." — Matthew 5:17 (ASV)

The Old Testament stands in all its parts, both as to the law and the prophets. The Lord Jesus knew nothing of "destructive criticism." He establishes in its deepest sense all that is written in Holy Scripture and puts a new fullness into it.

This He says before He goes on to comment on the sayings of men of old. He is Himself the fulfillment and substance of the types, and prophecies, and commands of the law.

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

The life, work, and words of Christ are not an emendation of the Old Testament, or an abrogation of it. It stands fast and firm, fulfilled, carried to perfection, filled to the full in Christ.